Man shot, woman hit by car outside Garden Street residence in Elyria

ELYRIA -- A dispute at a party on Garden Street Saturday eventually led to one woman being struck by a vehicle and a man being shot in the buttocks.

Two men have been arrested for their involvement, said Capt. Chris Costantino.

Jonathan Lankey, 21, of Lorain, was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, driving under suspension and failure to maintain reasonable control.

The accused shooter, Aaron Jackson, 21, of Elyria, is being charged with felonious assault. He was arrested Monday at 11:30 a.m. at Park Meadow Apartments.

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On Saturday around 3 a.m., police responded to 1034 Garden St. on a report of a woman being hit by a car at a party. While officers were in route, gun shots were also reported in that area, Constantino said. When they arrived at the party, police found Raya Davidson, 20, of Elyria, lying on the ground, after being struck by a car driven by Lankey, police said.

Witnesses told police Lankey and his sister 25-year-old sister got into an argument with several people at the party. The two attempted to leave in a white Pontiac Grand Am, but Lankey's sister forgot her purse, Costantino said. "She went into the house to retrieve her purse, but realized $30 had been taken," he said. "Jonathan was intoxicated; he got out of the vehicle and started arguing with the occupants."

Costantino said after the two were assaulted by partygoers, Jonathan got in the driver seat of the Grand Am.

While they were parked in the driveway a man in a red hooded sweatshirt, later identified as Jackson, shoved a gun through the passenger seat window and said, "How about I shoot you in the head?"

Jonathan pushed the gun away and attempted to leave the scene, but while doing so, he struck Davidson with his vehicle, according to police.

Jackson fired several shots at the moving vehicle; striking Jonathan in the buttocks, Costantino said.

"As Jonathan was leaving the area, he drove through a grassy driveway and hit an unoccupied vehicle on Allen Street. Police found the two in the Grand Am on Allen Street," Constantino said.

Jackson and Lankey were only acquaintances, according to Constantino.

More charges against Lankey could be forthcoming. There was no motive given for the shooting.

"The investigation is still on going," Costantino said. "But the patrol guys did a great job; they got there quickly and conducted some good interviews and put this all together. The detectives came out and it was a good showing effort on everyone's part."

Davidson and Lankey were taken to EMH Elyria Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.